Masseria Moroseta by Andrew Trotter

Masseria Moroseta was designed by Andrew Trotter, over a 3 year process, to delve into the heart of the traditions of Pugliese construction and building. Owner Carlo Lanzini, wanted a modern building that didn't feel out of place within the olive trees. The masseria, built around the courtyard, with its entrance being the only opening on the frontal wall, a strong hold towards 'the enemies', giving no instruction to what is beyond. Once inside the court, there are three rooms on either side, which in the old days would have been the stables, with the living quarters in front, divided by a central staircase to the roof. To the left, as you approach the large window entrance to the living room, you glimpse your first sights of the olive trees, pool and the sea beyond. Traditional use of the local sand stone 'tufo' has been used throughout, all rooms with a vaulted ceiling, and 80 cm walls keep the building cool, even when there is 40 degrees °C outside. The rooms to the left have high walled private gardens filled with orange trees, while the rooms to the right have private terraces with views across the olive grove. Dry stone walls elevate the building, to catch more of the view to the sea and the breeze, while making space below to hold the spa, gym and services. All the stones have been recycled from the land during the excavation of the building. A study was made of masserias of the area, and the comparison to modern, minimal architecture in their simplicity and use of local materials, that the end result is a piece of modern architecture that fits perfectly into the region, and belongs to the ground that it sits on. This is a modern day farm grounded in history.